Arduino wind speed detector - is it possible ???

Hello ... I would like to ask, if it is possible with ARDUINO to check the voltage from a small DC motor that is rotating by the wind and then to transform this voltage to numbers on the display ???I would like to make a WIND SPEED INDICATOR ... and that's why I decided to buy ARDUINO ... that's why I need your help/opinion if it is possible - if it is worth to buy it or it is not possible with ARDUINO.

Did you make this instructable?

Hello Guys, I wonder if it is possible to build a wind speed meter with ARDUINO using a PRESSURE BOARD V20??? I have Arduino mega ADK and a pressure board v20 from http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Airspeed?wl=en

I'd do it Burf's way by measuring the RPM of a standard anemometer rather than converting it to a voltage. I think that way will be more accurate at low wind speeds and also stay more consistent over time. You could use the optical method suggested, or a couple of magnets on a disc operating a reed switch (but don't forget to de-bounce in the code). An Arduino could handle this easily. As Seandogue says, turbulence around a car would complicate the calibration, so you'd have to mount it on the front of the bonnet, like an aircraft's pitot tube.

The magnets could be used with a Hall effect sensor without debouncing.

As for the calibration, it will be difficult to do accurately by driving around. However, if you're not going for lab precision, drive around the block several times (the more the better), and record the car's speed vs. the anemometer's speed. Take the average of the differences, and this may help rule out any steady breezes (although you still want it to be as wind-free as possible).

I know nothing about arduinos, but it seems to me that it would be easier and perhaps more accurate just to use a regular 3 cup anemometer and count the rpms with the arduino than using a DC motor as a generator and measuring the fluctuating current output.

No, not exactly. What I was thinking of was an attachment at the bottom of the shaft below the cups. To be specific, a disk with a small slit in it with a strong light source behind it. The disk rotates in front of a light-tight enclosure with a pinhole in it. As the disk rotates, each time the slit passes over the pinhole light would enter the enclosure. Then using a light sensor inside the enclosure, the arduino could count the number of times the light enters the enclosure, in whatever time increments you choose.

I was thinking about using the car to calibrate it. To drive in different speeds, make some measurements ... and than hoping, that I will find a "formula" between the voltage and speed.

To be honest, my project is a little bit more complicated (but simple as well). I need to measure the speed of the wind, display it on display and then, according to the speed (and my conditions) to move one or two servo motors.

Browsing on internet and here, on Instructables - Arduino looks to me as a good tool, to make my dream/project true. But because I never worked with Arduino (I need to buy it) ... a wanted to make sure (before buying it) that it will do, what I'm expecting. When it comes to make a program/code for it - I'm fine, because I'm a programmer - so I just need to get familiar with the "language".